3 For the Price of One - 2 Weeks of RRs

I don't have much in the way of pictures to offer you. Sorry. I don't usually keep my phone with me while I race. I did have the opportunity to take a picture after the Zoozilla 5K, but I was too focused (read: obsessed) on double-checking the distance that I didn't take it. And today, well today I just had no interest in doing anything other than getting home after getting wrecked on the trails. And usually I would just pull a bunch of funny pictures I have saved on my work computer to supplement my bloop, but I'm not at work today (probably not tomorrow either), so no go. I do have one picture, however. And it's spectacular.

But I'm going to start with last week...

Zoozilla 5K (11/2/2013)

This was 5K number, oh let's say 8, after I swore off running 5Ks. But I like this one. It's at the zoo and I love the zoo, and the last time I ran it, I came in second. Really grinds my gears.

THIS ISN'T THE PICTURE! I just had to throw it in there.

I headed out to the race solo, because it was chilly and why make the fam hang out for a 5K? After a mile warm-up, I headed to the starting line. I think the race is a bit challenging: it starts going around the parking lot, then up through the zoo. And i mean up. But what goes up must come down, so the plan was to keep plugging and cruise on the downhill.

Complicating this situation was the fact that, although Rose Tyler got a signal, it took a while for the race to get going, so I lost my connection without realizing it. I'd have to fly blind.

I got going and within a half mile, I was in front of all the other women. I went up the hill to the little turn around (don't get excited - you don't go back down at this point! It's more climbing first!). And I saw a girl close behind me! Yikes! Lit a fire under my butt, I'll tell you that!

Finally we were headed back, and I pushed it - something I don't usually do on a downhill, but I wasn't going to take another second place. No sir!

Kept pushing to the end and finished in...

18:04.

Wait, what?

And this is where it would have been super nice to have had a functioning watch. Because I became really focused (readbsessed) with checking that I had run 3.1. I asked one of the top 3 guys - a kid in a Penn State shirt, but he just mumbled incoherently. Of course.

And then I ran into BillyGoat! It was cool to see another Loopster! I think I said, "Hi, Bill! Wow! Hey, do you wear a Garmin because there's no way I just ran an 18-minute 5K?" But Bill is a Zen runner, so alas no. And I didn't want to ask the RD because there were other runners around and I didn't want to diminish their accomplishments by asking if the race was short. And later when I checked the race route on MapMy Run (OBSESSED!), it said 3.09 miles.

Well, OK. I'll take it.

Results: 1 Overall Female. 18:04. 50 second PR.

Seeds of Hope 5K (11/9/2013)

Juliet has been asking to run a 5K for a while. She has already run 3 mile-long races and was ready to step up. After a rather contentious discussion on the issue with some family members, we assured all involved that we would run at her pace and let her walk as much as she needed to. As if we would do it some other way. Whatever.

We checked in race morning and told EVERYONE that Juliet was 5 and today was her first 5K! They made her feel really special - well done, Shaler kids! And we carried out our plan perfectly. We ran easily, talked about the scenery, and walked occasionally. When we got to the last .1, we told Juliet to go and she took off! Sprinting all the way to the finish line! By the way, THIS is the picture:

Best. Picture. Ever.

Results:

Instant PR - 41:00.

Marshall Mangler 50K

After gathering plenty of guidance from a few ultra experts (the Matzes and Mile Sauce), I had this race planned out pretty well. It starts with a .5 mile asphalt climb, then you do the Orange Loop (4 miles), at which point, I would eat a gel with water. Then you do the Red Loop to the spillway (3-ish miles), then the Blue/Red Loop to Wisconsin Shelter (3-ish), where I would eat a PB and J and some water. Then you go back up to the shelter on the Orange Loop, where I would eat a PB and J and some G2, and then repeat.

Easy.

OK. Let me share with you a little fact. 50Ks are not easy. And even when you follow your plan perfectly (I did), 50Ks are not easy.

Well, the first lap was pretty easy. I made some friends, talked running, kids, family, anything. Only fell once. Then headed into the second lap, I gapped the guy with whom I was running. And then things got very, very, very lonely.

The Orange Loop was OK. It's pretty easy, not too aggressive, so I just kind of let the trail take me and enjoyed it as much as I could. Then I headed over to the Red Loop and fell 2 more times. Getting tired and shuffling. I ate a gel at the spillway and started to make my way back on the Red/Blue Loop (now we're at Mile 26 or so.) I made it up to Wisconsin Shelter, got my PB and J and a Gatorade refill, and then, as I was headed back down, I caught sight of a few runners, including another girl a few switchbacks behind me up the hill. Oh, no. Unh-uh. Not gonna pass me! And I picked it up.

Until between 28 and 29, when the distance and the loneliness really started getting to me. I'm not gonna lie - there were tears and frantic thoughts of "This race will never be done and I'll never see my family again."

Finally, FINALLY, I came out of the trail....or so I thought. The course marshall waved to me as I looked in a panicked way for a green flag. I had missed a turn! Fortunately, I only had to retrace about 100 yards, but still! I don't think the course marshall was prepared to hear the words flowing out of my mouth at that point.

Back on track and miserable, I made my way up the hill to the shelter. I just had to pass through that aid station, then back down the .5 mile to the finish. As I made my way, the volunteers asked, "Is there anything you need." Yes, I said. To be done. Dear God.

So I made my way down with as much speed as I could muster. Which wasn't much. But at the end of the day, there was this:

Congrats on two wins in two weekends at two very different distances, and I love that pic of you and Juliet running together! I think you're ready to take your first overall female title at a certain upcoming marathon...

Sorry I drop the ball,(on the watch).. You were fast no matter what.. What a great 50k!! You are amazing!!! I know you mentioned about just wanting to finish, but the little voice inside wanted 1st overall women,, and you got it!!! AMAZING!!! Counldn't happen to a better person. You help me wanting to push harder!!

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